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About us

The University of the Arts Helsinki (Uniarts Helsinki) fosters Finnish artistic heritage and renews art. The university was launched in 2013 upon the merging of the Finnish Academy of Fine Arts, Sibelius Academy, and Theatre Academy Helsinki.

Organisation

The university comprises three academies which are equal in terms of educational content and cultural significance.

University Collegium

University Collegium

The university collegium chooses the external board members and confirms the election of its internal members. The collegium also appoints financial auditors, approves financial statements and the annual report, and frees the rector and board members from liability for the financial accounts. The collegium strives to increase transparent decision-making and inclusiveness at the university.

The collegium consists of 18 members. Of those, six members represent professors, six represent the middle groups, and six represent students. The current university collegium’s term lasts from 2017 to 2020.

The collegium is chaired by education manager Mika Virkkala. The vice chair is Professor Kristiina Ilmonen. The collegium’s secretary is Head of Administrative Planning Alina Savolainen.

Board

Board

The board decides the university’s central operational and financial targets. The board also decides on the strategy, actions, and financial plans of the university and draws up the university’s annual financial statements. The board approves agreements of major importance for the university and issues statements on significant matters of principle.

The board chooses the rector and the rector’s direct subordinates, and decides on the organisational structure and the numerus clausus for the university.

Rector

Rector

Jari Perkiömäki is the University of the Arts Helsinki Rector for the term 1.12.2015–1.12.2020.

Jari Perkiömäki is an award-winning saxophonist who has worked as a lecturer in jazz music at the University of the Arts Helsinki since 1997. His earlier positions include vice rector (2009–2012) and Head of the Jazz Department (2000–2009) of the Sibelius Academy as well as member of the Finnish Higher Education Evaluation Council, FINHEEC (2010–2014).

Perkiömäki has also given lectures in companies and other organisations about utilising jazz improvisation in the development of leadership and organisations. Perkiömäki has numerous national and international positions of trust, which include chairmanship of the University of the Arts Helsinki’s association of lecturers and teachers and chairmanship of the International Association of Schools of Jazz IASJ.

Vice Rector responsible for education

Vice Rector responsible for education

Paula Tuovinen’s term as Vice Rector is between 1 October 2013 and 31 August 2018. Tuovinen is responsible for education and promoting collaboration and mobility within the University of the Arts Helsinki.

Tuovinen was rector of Theatre Academy Helsinki from 2005 to 2012. She has previously worked as the head of the Danish National School for Contemporary Dance, as a lecturer in contemporary dance at the Theatre Academy Helsinki from 2004 to 2005 and from 1994 to 1995, and as a freelance dancer from 1985 to 2001.

Tuovinen’s educational background is in cultural anthropology, in which she holds an MA.

Vice rector responsible for research and doctoral education

Vice rector responsible for research and doctoral education

Lauri Väkevä is the vice rector responsible for research and doctoral education of the University of the Arts Helsinki during the term 1.10.2016–31.12.2017. Väkevä is also a part-time professor of music education at the Sibelius Academy.

Väkevä began his career at the Sibelius Academy in 2005 as a lecturer in music education before he was appointed professor of music education in 2008. Aside from his teaching career, Väkevä was previously the team leader for the research group Arts Education for All from 2015 to 2016 as part of the ArtsEqual research project conducted at the University of the Arts Helsinki. Väkevä holds a Doctor of Philosophy degree.

Executive Group

Executive Group

The rector is supported by the executive group. The executive group is a discussing body, whose members pass resolutions within the limits of their authority and responsibilities. In addition to the rector and vice-rectors, the executive group comprises

Academy of Fine Arts Dean Markus Konttinen

Sibelius Academy Dean Kaarlo Hildén

Theatre Academy Dean Maarit Ruikka

Finance Director Sirpa Korhonen

Legal Counsel Annakaisa Koskimäki

Head of Communications Eveliina Olsson

Head of personnel services Riikka Mäki-Ontto

The executive group’s secretary is Head of Administrative Planning Helena Haimi.

Sibelius Academy deans

Sibelius Academy deans

Dean Kaarlo Hildén

Kaarlo Hildén acts as the dean of the Sibelius Academy from 1 March 2017 to 31 July 2021. He has been the dean of the Faculty of Classical Music at the Sibelius Academy since 2010.

From 2007 to 2010, Hildén was the Programme Director of Hanasaari Swedish–Finnish Cultural Centre. Prior to that, he worked for seven years as the music education director of Helsinki Polytechnic Stadia.

Hildén has taught the piano, practical accompaniment, and music theory at Sibelius Academy and Helsinki Conservatory of Music. Hildén has a Master of Music degree.

Second Vice Dean Tuire Kuusi

Tuire Kuusi (DMus) acts as a second vice dean at the Sibelius Academy, and she is responsible for research and doctoral studies. She is also a university lecturer at the DocMus Doctoral School. As the supervisor-in-charge, Kuusi’s duties include the supervision of doctoral students’ dissertations and written works. She is also the supervisor of theses and written works at the Department of Composition and Music Theory.

Tuire Kuusi is a member in various administrative bodies and working groups at the DocMus Doctoral School, the Sibelius Academy, and the University of the Arts Helsinki.

Faculty Deans

Faculty deans manage and develop the operations of their faculties and are responsible for their results.

Faculty Dean Elina Laakso

Elina Laakso acts as dean for the Faculty of Music Education, Jazz and Folk Music from 1 August 2013 to 31 July 2018. Laakso was the head of the Academy’s Kuopio Unit from 1999 to 2004, and again beginning in 2008. She has worked for the Kuopio Unit as a part-time teacher since 1997 and as lecturer of church music since 1999.

Laakso has held several positions of trust in the International Society for Music Education for ten years. Laakso has completed both Cantor-Organist and Music Teacher qualifications at the Academy.

Faculty Dean NN

Academy of Fine Arts Deans

Academy of Fine Arts Deans

Markus Konttinen is the dean of the Academy of Fine Arts dean for the term from 1 January 2013 to 31 December 2017.

He was previously rector of the Academy of Fine Arts from 2010 to 2012. His other positions at the Academy of Fine Arts have included a lectureship and the vice-rector’s post.

Konttinen is renowned as a front-line artist and a spokesman for the fine arts. His works have been on display at several exhibitions in Finland and abroad, where they are also a part of several art collections. Konttinen graduated from the Academy of Fine Arts in 1986.

Theatre Academy deans

Theatre Academy deans

Dean Maarit Ruikka

Maarit Ruikka has been nominated the dean of the Theatre Academy until August 31st, 2018.

Before she became the dean Ruikka was Professor in Directing at the Theatre Academy. She has directed for municipal theatres, professional theatre groups, radio, dance theatre, and free theatre ensembles. She is a qualified elementary school teacher and studied in the directing programme at the Theatre Academy Helsinki between 1989 and 1992. Ruikka has previously worked as elementary school teacher and as part-time teacher at the Theatre Academy.

Leena Rouhiainen is the vice-dean responsible of research. Rouhiainen is also professor of research at the Theatre Academy and director of the Performing Arts Research Centre TUTKE. Rouhiainen holds a PhD in Dance (2003). Her doctoral dissertation discussed, from a phenomenological angle, what being a freelance dancer entails. Her current research interests include artistic research, somatics, bodily knowledge, and the phenomenological approach to research on dancers and performers.

Vice-dean Ari Tenhula

Ari Tenhula has been nominated the vice-dean responsible of teaching until 30th July, 2018. Tenhula is also professor of dance at the Theatre Academy and artistic director of the Moving in November contemporary dance festival. Tenhula’s prolific career as a contemporary dancer and choreographer spans more than 20 years. In addition to his speciality, contemporary dance, he has choreographed several operas, plays, and musicals.

ari.tenhula@uniarts.fi, tel. +358 50 430 8664

Strategy

Strategy of the University of the Arts Helsinki 2017–2020

Values of the University of the Arts Helsinki

Skill

Courage

Inclusivity

Vision for 2025: Art creates the future
The University of the Arts Helsinki is an international forerunner in education and research in the field of arts and solidifies the arts as a force that reforms the society.

Internationality

Internationalization is a strategic priority of the university and can be seen in every aspect of university’s main operations – in education, artistic activity and research. Artistic activities, instruction and internationality are closely intertwined at the University of the Arts Helsinki. University has various partners in all corners of the world.

Internationalization is first and foremost a tool for developing the content of the main operations. International activities are organized in each academy and academic field.

Internationality and networking are visible on all levels of the university: E.g. in the number of international degree students, active international exchange studies and traineeships, intensive courses in cooperation with international partner institutions and organizations, international workshops, festivals and exhibitions. The academies offer studies in English and frequently welcome visiting lecturers. Academies are active in use of modern technologies supporting learning and teaching in an international context (distance learning and learning platforms).

The academies and their degree programmes are active internationally in various networks and collaboration projects. Partnership agreements are based on mutual interest in developing education, artistic activity and research.

University of the Arts Helsinki understands the role and carries its responsibility in questions related to global responsibility. The university is active in several networks and projects focusing on capacity building in partner institutions and development of arts education in developing countries.

Erasmus Charter for Higher Education

Erasmus Charter for Higher Education

The University of the Arts Helsinki has been awarded an Erasmus Charter for Higher Education (ECHE) under the Erasmus+ scheme, for the program period 2014-2020. Our Erasmus ID code is SF HELSINK42. The Erasmus Policy Statement (Overall Strategy) of the University of the Arts can be viewed here and the Erasmus Charter here.

For further information concerning Erasmus student exchange and the application process, please contact each Academy’s International Office.

History

The University of the Arts Helsinki launched on 1 January 2013 when the Finnish Academy of Fine Arts, Sibelius Academy, and Theatre Academy Helsinki merged.

The need for an arts university had been under discussion for a long time. As early as the 1980s, the Pasila Project included a plan to build a new complex in Pasila, Helsinki, for Sibelius Academy, the University of Art and Design Helsinki, and Theatre Academy Helsinki. The merger of the arts universities was topical all through the 2000s.

In 2010, the ministry of culture and education published a report on how to enhance the role of the arts universities in strengthening the quality, impact, and international competitiveness of Finnish arts and culture. In November 2011, the Finnish Academy of Fine Arts, Sibelius Academy, and Theatre Academy Helsinki’s boards approved the merger.

Roots deep within

The three academies of the University of the Arts Helsinki have roots deep within the Finnish art education and art history.

The earliest predecessor of the Academy of Fine Arts was the drawing school of the Art Society of Finland, which opened in 1848, Europe’s year of change. The first nationally and internationally renowned Finnish artists—such as Albert Edelfelt, Axel Gallén, Helene Schjerfbeck, and Ellen Thesleff—all studied at the Art Society’s Drawing School.

Since 1939, the academy operated under the Finnish Art Academy as the Finnish Art Academy School. The school became state-owned in 1985, and its name was changed to the Academy of Fine Arts. In 1993, the Academy of Fine Arts became an institution of higher education, and it became a university in 1998.

Sibelius Academy was established as the Helsinki Music Institute in 1882 through a private initiative. One of its students was Jean Sibelius, who later became the institute’s figurehead.

In 1924, the institute’s name was changed to the Helsinki Conservatory of Music as its operations expanded. In 1939, the name Sibelius Academy was introduced. Sibelius Academy became a state organisation in 1980 and a university in 1998.

The roots of the Theatre Academy can be found in the first theatre academy of Finland, which was active from 1866 to 1868, and which worked with the Swedish theatre Nya Teatern. The Swedish theatre school Svenska Teaterskolan was established in 1908 and worked with Svenska Teatern. Finnish-language actors were trained from 1904–1940 at the Student School of the Finnish National Theatre and the private Finnish Stage School. In 1943, the Finnish Theatre School began training students.

Theatre Academy Helsinki was founded in 1979 when the Finnish and Swedish theatre academies merged into a single national, bilingual theatre academy.

Quality

Smooth operations and a bold attitude are the objectives of quality assurance at the University of the Arts Helsinki. Evaluation and continuous development are also natural parts of its operations.

For students, quality assurance means more fluent everyday functions and opportunities to give and receive feedback. For university employees, it means conscious processes and explicit responsibilities.

The aim of quality assurance is to encourage and inspire the university’s members to assume responsibility for the development of their work through successes, attempts, mistakes, and learning.

Uniarts Helsinki’s quality assurance system will be audited in 2018. The academies were previously audited as independent universities. The development of the quality assurance system has been based on existing, successful practices and the best practices of the earlier academy-specific quality assurance systems. The quality system is described in more detail in the Quality Management Wheel. Read more about the wheel here.